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EAGLE, Colorado - The Eagle Public Library will host a free, live performance with Colorado musician Jeff Van Devender on Sunday at 2 p.m. Van Devender will perform his original music on digital piano and share stories about his various pieces.

Van Devender is a versatile pianist who plays a diverse range of tunes, including pop, classical and light jazz. He has been a piano composer and arranger for more than three decades. Fans have referred to Van Devender's music, with its unique blend of piano technique and flair, as "a coffeehouse for your spirit."

He is an elementary music teacher in New Castle, as well as the full-time organist/pianist at First United Methodist Church in Glenwood Springs and St. John's Episcopal in New Castle.

He has released three CDs - "Ascend," "Bending Chords" and "Don't Ever Forget." These will be available for sale after his performance.

"His music has been described as Jim Brickman introducing George Winston to Elton John," said Robyn Bryant, adult services librarian. "We are excited to have Jeff perform at our library on a Sunday afternoon - this will be a nice treat for the public to come in, kick back and enjoy his relaxing music."

Van Devender has said that when composing music, a melody cannot be forced.

"When it is ready, it will arrive," Van Devender said. "Sometimes, I set a table for the melody's arrival, but I often have to make a choice to be patient. Other times, a melody will just materialize without warning, and I must quickly work before it vanishes!"

The pianist comes from a musical background. His father was a band director, and his mother was a church choir director. Van Devender received his master's degree in musical education from the VanderCook College of Music in Chicago. He taught in Gypsum in the early '90s at Gypsum Elementary School. During his tenure as a music teacher there, he was asked to write the school song. A copy of that song was placed in the time capsule of the building's cornerstone.

For more information about this event, call the Eagle Public Library at 970-328-8800. For more information on Jeff Van Devender's music, or to hear a sampling of his songs, visit www.javamusik.com.